Gabriel Vilardi, 25, says Winnipeg feels like home. The NHL forward signed a six-year, $45 million US contract with the Winnipeg Jets on Friday.

Gabriel Vilardi said his contract extension was “inevitable” and he was glad to avoid arbitration. The Winnipeg Jets forward, a restricted free agent, signed a six-year, US$45-million contract last Friday. Vilardi was coming off a career year in the second of a two-year, US$6.88-million deal.

The Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club announced today they have agreed to terms with forward Gabriel Vilardi on a six-year contract extension with an average annual value in the NHL of $7,500,000. Vilardi, 25,